Upgraded Peplink Router - Compete with and compliment SL

dtfeld

Water Contrails
GOLD Sponsor
Jun 5, 2016
5,519
Milton, GA
Boat Info
410 Sundancer
2001
12" Axiom and 9" Axiom+ MFD
Engines
Cat 3126 V-Drives
Been watching the Starlink thread with a tinge of jealousy. Network speeds are amazing. But for me, not being under a clear sky very much (covered slip, deep coves on a lake, and always close to a great cellular connections), the Starlink option doesn't offer too much for me as an inland boater (yet!). However, Peplink has been releasing several updated cellular modem/routers that might be a great option for those that need connectivity, but are not venturing far from land.

A lot us us started out with a Peplink MAX BR1 series modem, the two popular options were the MAX BR1 Mini and the MAX BR1 MK2. Both while cutting edge in the day, are getting out dated from a modem and router standpoint. Neither supports the newer low frequency bands B66 and B71. and as such, are pretty limited. I decided to try a MAX BR1 Pro 5G ("used" of course) to replace my Max BR1 MK2.

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Initial testing was conducted on my desk at my house in ATL with a Verizon 5G Data plan and I was immediately impressed. Powering it up, I was able to connect to a 5G cell signal, and was getting 140-200 Mbps down loads and 25-40 Mbps uploads. This was with the stock paddle antennas.

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The other interesting details are the router with 1Gbps throughput (as opposed to 100 Mbps on the older models) 2x GbE LAN connections and a WAN connection at 2.5 GbE (for that future Starlink connection!). The whole family will be streaming 4K video!

Next, I'll swap the modems on the boat and see where I'm at. I have a Peplink PUMA antenna installed for the Mk2, but its only 2x2 MIMO. I ordered the Mobility 42G with 4 cellular antennas, 2 WiFi and a GPS. Supposedly very good as its much larger than the PUMA with the correct number of antenna for the router.
 
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Swapped the new MAX BR1 Pro 5G into the boat today, but with limited antenna support. I used 2 cellular antennas from the PUMA mounted on the arch, and left 2 paddle antenna installed on the unit, and remounted it inside the arch (totally enclosed and probably NOT ideal). Was still able to get 30-50 Mbps download and 5-15 Mbps upload, which is 5x better downloads and 2X-3X better upload than the MK2 unit, and I haven't installed the correct antenna.

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All applications were much more responsive (YouTube TV , WYZE security CAM, and Raymarine Updates). I attribute this to being able to access B66, which Verizon has on all their cell towers around me and around the whole area.

Next up is to get the Mobility 42G in place and give that a shot. There is 5G signal the area, so we shall see.
 
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Looks great Dave! Those fast upload speeds are why the apps are responsive. If that is sustained speeds, you will be very happy for sure.
 
Thanks for the report! I have been considering upgrading my MAX Transit. Will look at this again in the spring for sure...
 
Thanks for the report! I have been considering upgrading my MAX Transit. Will look at this again in the spring for sure...

Things are moving fast on the technology front. I debated if now if the right time, but, there will always be something new/better...so I think this gets me several years down the road. The Pro 5G's modem is already a little out of date, but it gets a lot in the mean time.

There are several others I thought interesting. There is a BR1 Mini (HW3) with a CAT 7 Modem (actually newer than a CAT 12 modem...go figure) that add support for B66 and B71 to cover the low frequency long range band that will likely be inportant for us boaters thats a little cheaper, a BR1 Pro CAT 20, and a couple in the transit line depending on what you need.
 
Impressive! That little Peplink is pricy! I thought Starlink was bad at $599....
 
They dropped the price on it to $999, I didnt pay that.

But, gotta pay to play in this sport!
 
Peplink Mobility 42G antenna in hand, so 4 cellular, 2 Wi-Fi, and a gps antenna all in one.

I’ll get it installed tomorrow, and I will have a completed setup. This is almost 2x the size of the Puma Antenna I have for the MK2, so I expect better reception.

I’ll run some new speed tests and see how this shakes out.

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Peplink Mobility 42G antenna in hand, so 4 cellular, 2 Wi-Fi, and a gps antenna all in one.

I’ll get it installed tomorrow, and I will have a completed setup. This is almost 2x the size of the Puma Antenna I have for the MK2, so I expect better reception.

I’ll run some new speed tests and see how this shakes out.

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Very cool!
 
That is impressive, beats the snot out of my Jellyfish antenna and it's single LTE and WiFi connections. Looking forward to your report!
 
40G looks like a winner, but then the issue is what to do about the WiFi antennas? I like the all in one for the most part, but I'm not boon docking far away. Seems this the 42G gets pretty close performance wise.

With your MAX BR1 Mini, you could use the 20G at about 1/2 the $$ unless you know your going to be upgrading to a 4x4 router in the future. If that's the case go for it now (I wish I had taken my own advice on this)!
 
40G looks like a winner, but then the issue is what to do about the WiFi antennas? I like the all in one for the most part, but I'm not boon docking far away. Seems this the 42G gets pretty close performance wise.

With your MAX BR1 Mini, you could use the 20G at about 1/2 the $$ unless you know your going to be upgrading to a 4x4 router in the future. If that's the case go for it now (I wish I had taken my own advice on this)!

The 40g/20g also supports WiFi as the frequency spectrum of the antenna(s) covers the 2.4/5ghz frequencies. Currently I have a 4' TP-Link that works really well. I am going to continue to use the Peplink and possibly even a cell contract depending on what happens with the mobility with SL. I can see the PL 5G and 40g antenna in my future if SL raises there price out of feasibility for the boat like their marine offering is now.
 
They do support the frequencies, but the leads won’t work, the Cell side and Wi-Fi side are different connectors. That’s what lead me to the Mobility 42G.

The 40G is a great solution for the Cellular side, but that leave the Wi-Fi without an external antenna…I haven’t seen anything from Peplink to solve that, and mounting it still an issue.
 
They do support the frequencies, but the leads won’t work, the Cell side and Wi-Fi side are different connectors. That’s what lead me to the Mobility 42G.

The 40G is a great solution for the Cellular side, but that leave the Wi-Fi without an external antenna…I haven’t seen anything from Peplink to solve that, and mounting it still an issue.

That Seabit's article or one of it's link speaks to that and recommends the adapter, so no worries there. The adapter needed is a male SMA to female RP-SMA there like $5 each and just screw in to the cable end.

I also have the TP-Link antenna (4' version) on the side of the arch which could be replaced by the 40g or swap a GPS antenna with that and place the 40g on top of the arch. PL designed that antenna for the 5G model, your 42g as well. Both seem like great antenna's.
 
Maybe I am missing something, but I ordered a T-Mobile home internet all in one 5G modem/router for $50 a month unlimited and I get 300Mbps down and 20Mbps up all over the lake (Lanier) and at our covered dock. No contract and no equipment cost. The router works easily 100 yards away. This is a coffee can sized device that I have inside the tv cabinet in the saloin and it still gets those speeds. If you are interested in trying it, there is no upfront cost and no contract...
 
I need to try T-Mobile again at some point. I think if I get out on the lake, there is a lot more 5G down on the south side, not so much on the northern end, and especially tucked back up in this cove.

But for now I’m getting a very strong signal off of the closest Verizon tower on band 66, and decent speeds in the slip.
 
Mobility 42G mounted without the extension pole, and tested with radar on and off. I can’t tell the difference.

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